Manzanar Committee opposes attempt to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798

The Manzanar Committee opposes President Trump’s unlawful attempt to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to enforce deportations.

This 18th century law was used by President Roosevelt in 1942 to justify the unconstitutional incarceration of over 125,000 people of Japanese ancestry in US concentration camps, including Manzanar.

The Trump Administration’s attempt to invoke this wartime act during peacetime to deport 5 Venezuelan nationals far exceeds the limits of the Alien Enemies Act and protections in immigration law. It is rooted in xenophobia and racism, and is absolutely unacceptable.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump’s administration from using the act to carry out its intended deportations of the Venezuelans in response to a lawsuit filed today by the ACLU and Democracy Forward. The Manzanar Committee stands with those who defend our constitution, justice and democracy for all people.

#neveragainisnow #nomoremanzanars #immigrantrights #immigrantrightsarehumanrights